I'm gonna be the dissenter. Unless you are just looking for a fun gun to make noise and fireballs on the range, or are going to run a supressor, I'll take the longer barrel all day long.

I recently was confronted with this decision regarding some rifles that we were getting for work. I work night shift, and the muzzle blast and fireball from a short barrel is absolutely blinding in the dark. I took an 11" rifle and a 16" rifle out after dark and shot them both...just an unbelievable difference. 16" gives the powder enough time to almost completely burn...there's very little flash at the end of the muzzle...just a small blue flame. The 11" is downright blinding. Both are going to be loud inside, but the 11" is outrageously loud in any setting. I wish I had a way to post the videos...they speak for themselves.

Being a tall guy, I'm also not a fan of the pistol braces. They are too short to properly shoulder and establish a decent cheek weld, and trying to shoot an AR using the officially prescribed "arm-brace" method is laughable.

Yes, a shorter barrel may be slightly more manuverable in tight quarters, but IMO it's not worth the disorienting noise and muzzle blast. In a residential setting or other small environment, I'd rather have my shotgun. For larger, more open spaces, I prefer a full-length rifle. However, if a can is an option, that could change the discussion somewhat...

For me, it came down to a couple reasons:

1) Can carry it loaded in a vehicle with my CPL.
2) Because.

Other than that, I haven't seen a lot of use for it. It would be one of the last things in my safe that I would grab for home defense purposes. All the reasons 92fstech listed, plus I prefer bullpups for the compact carbine role.

But I wouldn't even think twice on "a new Springfield ~ $600." If it were me, I'd just buy it.

If it's legal in your state, you can have a short, easily maneuverable rifle for vehicle travel/use.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
I'm gonna be the dissenter. Unless you are just looking for a fun gun to make noise and fireballs on the range, or are going to run a supressor, I'll take the longer barrel all day long.

...

I have an AAC Blackout FH on my 10.5"...can barely see a small blue flame if you are looking right at it in low light.

quote:

Originally posted by Strambo:
I have an AAC Blackout FH on my 10.5"...can barely see a small blue flame if you are looking right at it in low light.

How low was low light? The 11" MCX I shot last week was insane. Granted, it had a comp on it, so a flash-hider would have certainly helped some, but it would take a technical miracle to have eliminated this fireball. If the AAC blackout can pull it off, I'm truly impressed! I wish I had a way to share the video...it was pretty awesome, and fun as heck...but not really practical at all.

If you have an outdoor area to shoot it then go for it. Otherwise they are super obnoxious indoors no matter what you do to try and tame it.

Flash hiders like those from AAC, Surefire, and even Smith Enterprise do a pretty decent job even with short barrels. Brakes of any type simply do not. High quality defensive ammunition generally does better than bulk 55 grain.

Also, equipping the rifle with a bright enough light to identify what you're shooting at tends to mitigate the effects of the flash, at least to the shooter.

quote:

Originally posted by DaBigBR:
Flash hiders like those from AAC, Surefire, and even Smith Enterprise do a pretty decent job even with short barrels. Brakes of any type simply do not. High quality defensive ammunition generally does better than bulk 55 grain.

Also, equipping the rifle with a bright enough light to identify what you're shooting at tends to mitigate the effects of the flash, at least to the shooter.

That adding a weapon light to mitigate the muzzle flash is an interesting point.
Thanks

Not a terrible price if you already have an unused "multi" receiver.

PSA 11.5" 5.56 1/7" PHOSPHATE CLASSIC SBA3 PISTOL KIT, BLACK

https://palmettostatearmory.co...ack-51654489732.html

quote:

Originally posted by EasyFire:
What hole am I filling with an AR15 556 Pistol?

I have hunting rifles, shotguns, various pistols from 22 to 45 in both CCW and full size. 3 AR15 556 tricked out to barebones.

I am offered a new Springfield ~ $600.

Sincere advice appreciated...

Got a email today they're back in stock $895.00
https://www.kygunco.com/Produc...w?ItemNo=144811&utm_

Not technically an AR but close... from TNW Firearms:

Just wish they made them to take Sig Magazines in stead of Glocks...

CMMG makes a lower that takes P320 mags I think.

My 9mm upper from 9/15/20 came in today. My Glock lower hasn’t hit production yet so I slapped it on one of my sbr’d AR lowers for now.

only thing I don't like about them is I have to wear ear muffs my standard hearing protection doesn't help much.

I started with an AR pistol 10.5" from PSA. Took it out once, had so much fun bought a BCM 16" rifle a week later. Now looking at getting another pistol lower just in case. Then the mag buying started...30 mags later I can't stop buying them. Lancer, Magpul, BCM, Okay...they're so cheap compared to pistol mags!

OK, I have a Springfield Edge that has a 7 1/2" barrel. Yes, it is loud but is is easy to maneuver and fun to shoot. It handles well and it had never given me any issues. Simple ear protection, Caldwell muffs work fine.

If anyone has not noticed the prices of AR's especially short barreled ones have been increasing. For $600 I would buy it, play with it and if I didn't like it you could easily resell it.

OP - may have missed it, but I don't think you mentioned the barrel length on the Springfield, which in my mind would be a consideration. The shortest I'd go on an AR is 10.5". Shorter than that and the flash, noise and loss of velocity don't make for a very practical gun.

Also, if you're looking for a short, maneuverable, AR style pistol there are a number of other options you should consider - e.g.:

AR in 300BO. Better ballistics/less loss of velocity out of a short barrel, less muzzle flash, easier to suppress.

AR9/Pistol Caliber Carbine. Less recoil, cheap ammo (well it used to be cheap), minimal muzzle flash, no loss of velocity out of a short barrel, don't have to worry as much about over-penetration in home defense setting.

Tavor. You get a 16" barrel in a package that's shorter than a lot of SBR's. Don't have to do the brace thing or SBR it. No loss of velocity or increased muzzle flash. Of course this option will cost you more $$$.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Because it pisses of the commies.

That's exactly why I bought one . It is fun to shoot so, win - win.

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:

Photo doesn't show. What is it?

That is the Aero Survival Pistol with Extended Handguard and SB Tactical Brace from TNW Firearms out of Oregon... I had it chambered in 357 Sig.

I also have the rifle in 357 Sig and have a conversion kit for it in 9mm. I could convert the pistol to a rifle too... Just change out the bolt 16" barrel and add a regular adjustable rear stock and it becomes a rifle. The one 'issue' with ordering either the rifle or pistol from them is you have to add your own sighting device.

Here is a picture of both the rifle and pistol
(and my employee)